JPH02263292A - Computer controlling apparatus for selling individualized product and other product - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To deal with the manufacture and the sale of products to meet the order of a customer by including a selecting means which can be operated by the customer in order to input control data and a computer means for executing the series of operation after payment by the customer and forwarding the desired final form of the product. CONSTITUTION: An image is displayed on a CRT screen 88 which can be used also as a touch screen for selecting the desired product and a desired characteristic and feature. For instance, the touch screen 88, a keyboard or another input device is used for selecting various kinds of birth cards and entering the name and the date of birth of a receiver, the name of a sender, and other individualized data. A machine includes a robot 28 to position the stored product to a printer 31 or another changing device in order to select the product and carry it to or from the changing device. Thus, the rapid and reliable selection and shipping which are every multi-purpose and programmed rapidly are attained, and these are applied to many kinds of the products.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to vending machines, and more particularly to interactive machines for handling greeting cards or other personalized products selected by customers. The machine is already equipped with easy-to-understand information about the selectable products, their properties, and the operations required for selection so that the customer can easily operate them without assistance. It has a high reliability, is efficient, operates quickly, can handle a wide variety of products, in other words can be used in many ways, and can be produced at a relatively low cost.

[Prior Art] U.S. Patent Nos. 3.892.427 and 3.982.7
For example, 44 is the name of the child who should receive the story book.
Personalized °'ME printed in the text of the story book
``Discloses the method of making the book.

In the production of such books, various data are printed on pre-printed sheets in order to manufacture sheets that are stitched together in a separate process to finally make a book with a hard cover. A computer is used to control the printing press. As disclosed, a variety of variable data are stored within the computer, such variable data possibly including quality control indicia including check lines and other symbols. .

Rosewarne et al., U.S. Pat. It is disclosed to print special types of symbols, including pictorial figures, with similar physical properties. A standard microprocessor has a storage device and has the ability to combine a punch car with any storage medium after it has been introduced into the system via a temporary storage device by a customer or user. One or more plotters are used to produce the final product and an eight pen plotter is disclosed.

Traditionally, many vending machines have been set up to sell various products such as canned crystals, bottled crystals, hot or cold drinks in pots, sandwiches, candies, combs, and many other products. They are typically designed to handle only a limited range of products of various sizes and shapes. Typically, a customer inserts a coin into the slot, selects it by pressing a button, and activates a transport device that conveys the selection to the slot.

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION The present invention provides for the sale of greeting cards or similar personalized products, in which a customer can, without assistance, select a personalized product of his or her choice.
The purpose is to provide machines that can be operated to obtain custom products.

Another object of the invention is to provide reliable, efficient and
The objective is to provide a machine that is versatile and, on the other hand, can be produced at relatively low cost.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a selection machine that displays identification of selectable products and desirable properties and features and allows selection of products and desirable properties and features by the customer. Another object of the invention is to provide a flexible production base that allows for rapid changes in product storage that allows production of different products according to customer preferences.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a just-in-time production base that manufactures products whenever customers want to buy them.

A machine made according to the invention comprises a housing with means for selection and payment on the outside, means for storing and handling the products on the inside, and conveys the selected products to a receiving port where they will be taken away by the customer. All are connected to a computer housed in a housing that is programmed as follows.

[Means and operations for solving the problem] It is desirable that the selectable products and desirable properties and characteristics be identified audibly and visually, and that the computer display the image of the order with the aid of sound. As for the important features, it controls the general display of the set of descriptions of the selectable products and their characteristics, as well as the operating instructions for starting to use the machine. When the customer starts using the machine, the calculator will
Control the display of special operations so that the customer can easily, quickly, and accurately select them. Once the customer has finished selecting, the calculator again takes control of the general display and repeats it until other customers start using it. In this way the machine's auditory and visual capabilities are used to maximum advantage.

In the illustrated embodiment, the images are displayed on a CRT screen that can also be used as a touch screen for selection of desired products and desired properties and features. For example, a touch screen, keyboard, or other input device may be used to select from a variety of birth cards, enter the recipient's name and date of birth, the sender's name, and other personalized data.

Once the customer has selected and paid for the greeting card or other product,
A data entry mode begins in which the customer is required to insert data such as, for example, the name of the recipient of the birth card, the name of the sender, or to select the format of the final product.

An important feature of this embodiment of the invention for product handling is that the products are selected, transported to a changing device such as a printing press, and finally delivered to a receiving point. The illustrated machine includes a robot that positions stored products on a printing press or other changing device for product selection and transport to and from the changing device. The robot has a pivoting head pivotable about a fixed axis with a moving head supported by an arm articulated from the pivoting head and a storage product and changing device placed in angular spatial relationship. is desirable.

A moving head is preferably included in the receiving port for conveying printed forms, envelopes, other sheets, and other products. Preferably, the products are stored in an orderly manner in stacks such that the receiving ports of the moving head allow the products at the end of each stack to be handled in turn. Alternatively, an electromechanically operated, skidable container or vial may deliver the product to a handling device such as a robot.

The product handling equipment also receives products from robots, which can handle compact products quickly and efficiently.
It may also include moving equipment to move the product to the delivery port. Transfer equipment shall be subject to change equipment and stored products.
arranged in angular spatial relationship. Preferably, the device is rotatable about an axis parallel to the pivot axis between an angular position for receiving the product from the robot and an angular position for placing the product at the transfer port. In the preferred configuration “C
The pivot axis is a vertical axis, and the moving device is in a raised position in relation to the robot and moves vertically to raise the product into a position where it can be conveniently dropped into the delivery port. do.

Yet another feature is the method of controlling the operation for quick and efficient dispensing of the product. For example, after a customer selects and pays for a product, the movement of the product from storage to a printing press or other modification device begins immediately, and the customer receives data for printing, other modifications to the product, and so on. While making the selection, preprocessing is performed. Additionally, while printing or other changes are being made, other operations may be performed, such as selecting an appropriate envelope for the selected format of the greeting card.

The machine according to the invention is very versatile. It can be quickly programmed and applied to a wide range of products for quick and reliable selection and shipping.

The machine according to the invention is capable of compiling, compiling and evaluating sales information for different periods of time, i.e. one day - one day, according to the respective requirements.

The invention may have other objects, features and advantages that will become apparent from the following detailed description in view of the accompanying drawings.

〔Example〕

The reference number 1O refers to an entire vending machine constructed according to the principles of the invention and designed to sell personalized greeting cards. The various features of the present invention are not limited to personalized greeting card vending machines, but could be used for other products as well as other products using sheet-like materials.

The machine 10 has display means including a screen 11 on which selectable greeting card identifications can be displayed, and further means for generating images for providing audio descriptions of the accompanying products. In an introductory display mode, such display means may in turn display the identification of selectable greeting cards and desired characteristics and features to persons in the vicinity of the machine 10.

Instructions for use are also displayed in an introductory display mode.

For example, machine 10 may be used to sell products including birthday cards, anniversary cards, and Christmas cards. In all cases, the name of the recipient is printed inside the product and, if necessary, the name of the sender of the product is also printed. In the case of anniversary and birthday cards, text related to the birthday or anniversary will be printed as described below.

In the illustrated embodiment, the screen 11 is operable as a touch screen for product selection and for entering name data and other data. The customer is guided to touch a part of the screen showing instructions for purchasing a selected one of the products, and is guided acoustically by the voice generating means and visually by the screen 11 to receive instructions for payment for the product. The operation will be shown. To pay, insert coins into the coin slot 12 and the bill receiver 13.
This is done each time you insert a banknote into the credit card reader.

A change receiving port 15 is provided for dispensing necessary change, and a receipt 16 is issued from a receipt issuing port 17 as shown. As an example operation, assume that a customer touches an area marked as a birthday card and is required to pay a certain price with coins, banknotes, or credit card.

The screen displays an alphabetic string and the customer is required to touch the screen to enter the recipient's first and last name. The screen then displays a - year month string, the customer is required to respond, and an accompanying screen is displayed for entering the recipient's year and day of birth. A replay of the input made by the customer is then displayed on the screen, and a question is asked as to whether or not corrections are necessary. If so, the screen displays for selection the input to be corrected and instructs the customer on how to make the correction. Once the input is confirmed by the customer, the screen and associated voice generator will thank the customer and inform them that the greeting card will be printed. As an example application, similar programs are used for anniversary cards, Christmas cards, and other cards.

A delivery port 18 is provided for dispensing the selected product together with the envelope and other required accessories. Delivery port 18, screen 11, coin slot 12,
A bill receptacle 13 and a credit card reader 14 are mounted on the inclined front panel 20 of the housing 21.

The change receiving port 15 and the receipt issuing port 17 are located on the front panel below the inclined front panel 20. The housing 21 is further provided with a decorative neon 26 on the top.

As shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 2 and 3, a robot 28 is housed within the housing 21. The convex bot 28 takes out the unprinted form from the storage rack 30 and sends it to the printing machine 31 to print the personalized data.
Set to . During the printing of personalized data, the robot 28 retrieves attachments such as envelopes, holders, etc. from the storage 32 and delivers the material to the handling machine 34. Reference will be made to the envelope storage and envelope moving apparatus described below to understand the movement of accessories in addition to or in place of envelopes.

When the printing of the pre-printed sheet is completed, the robot transfers the sheet to the handling machine 34. After that, the handling machine 34
The rotated and printed sheets and envelopes are transferred to the delivery port 18
It is raised to the position where it is dispensed. For simplicity, the handling machine 34 is shown as an elevator. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the back of the machine with the back plate removed. The robot 28 is rotatable about a vertical axis and includes a first pair of parallel links 39.40 and 39.40 rotatably coupled to one end of the head 36.
40 is moved by an articulated arm having a second pair of parallel links 41, 42 rotatably coupled to one end thereof and a moving head 38 rotatably coupled to the opposite end thereof. It includes a pivoting head 36 coupled to a head 38. The moving head 3B has suction cups 43 for gripping, holding and releasing sheets, envelopes and other products handled by the machine.
．． It has 44.

Robot 2 is a commercially available type of robot and includes electromechanical elements not shown in detail. Such elements include rotation of the pivoting head 36 about a vertical axis in response to applied electrical signals, rotation of the link 39.40 about an axis horizontal to the pivoting head 36, link 39.40 The rotation of the link 41,42 about an axis relatively horizontal to the link 41,42, and the rotation of the moving head 38 about an axis relatively horizontal to the link 41,42 is precisely controlled.

Storage racks 30, 32, used in the disclosed machine for pre-print forms and envelopes, have a similar construction. Each has a series of vertically extending sections arranged in a stepped manner, each section arranged to receive a bundle of forms or envelopes, with the top edge of the outer forms or envelopes of each bundle being exposed. Yes, moving head 38
It is directed inward toward the axis of rotation of the pivoting head 36 so as to be gripped by the suction cups 43, 44 of the pivot head 36.

FIG. 4 shows how the form 40 is taken out from the top of the rack 30, and FIGS. 11-15 show the rack 30 in detail.
Important specification features regarding the structure of 0 and the following section 11-
As discussed with reference to FIG. 15, the relationship between the suction cup and the form that can be operated with high reliability is shown. For example, assume that an anniversary form is stored in the top row of the rack 30. In order to take out one piece of the foam,
In the robot, the moving head 38 is horizontal to the exposed upper part of the form 45, and the moving head 38 is attached to the suction cup 4.
3 and 44 are controlled to move rapidly outward until they catch the form 45. And the sucker is
In order to separate the first form from the second and subsequent forms, it is moved slightly upwards and the suction of the suction cups 43, 44 begins, this operation being explained in more detail by Figures 11 to 15. Ru. After suction, the moving head 38
The lower end of the form 45 is moved further upwardly so that it exceeds the upper end of all the forms of the storage rack 30.

After removing the form 45 from the storage rack 30 and quickly moving the moving head 38 inward, the pivoting head 36 moves the third
As shown, the moving head 38 is connected to the printing press 31.
Rotate 90 degrees clockwise so that it is located at the top of the form receiving area. As shown in FIG. 5, the moving head 3B quickly moves outward so that the lower part of the form 45 passes over the outwardly bent side edge of the inclined sheet guide plate 46 of the printing press 31 and enters therebetween. I am made to do so. The guide plate 46 is attached to guide the form 45 to a position where it is gripped by a printing roller 47 of the printing machine 31. Prior to rotation of the roll to position the form to be printed at a predetermined setting angle, the printing roller 47 is reversely rotated in order to properly align the tip of the form 45 with the printing roller 47. As a result, the data printed on the form 45 will be in the correct position relative to the form and the previously printed matter.

The presser bar 48 of the printing press 31, which is normally operated by hand, is connected to an air cylinder 50 for operation.

When the form 45 is conveyed to the printing machine 31, the roller of the paper presser bar 48 is separated from the driven print roller 47 until the tip of the form is between the paper presser bar 48 and the print roller 47. . The paper hold down bar 48 is then operated by an air cylinder 50 so that the roller holds the form on the print roller 47. The printing press is then operated to print the personalized data onto the form 45.

While forms are being fed to the printing press and the printing press is in operation, the transfer head 38 performs envelope transfer operations that remove envelopes from the storage racks 32 and move them to the elevator 34. To perform that operation, the moving head 38 is first rapidly moved °ζ towards the vertical axis of rotation of the swivel head 3G, and then the swivel head 36 is rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise as shown. and the moving head 38 is lowered into a position opposite the top of the envelope to be removed and is quickly moved outward to remove the envelope by suction using the suction cups 43, 44, so that the lower edge of the envelope is It rises over the bin structure, then quickly moves inward, rotates 135 degrees clockwise as shown, and begins moving.
The hand 38 is moved outwardly to position the envelope on the elevator 34, lowers to insert the envelope into the elevator 34, and then stops suction to allow the envelope to be lowered within the elevator 34.

The elevator 34 includes an inclined back plate 54, guide side plates 55 and 56, and a guide plate 55 arranged parallel to the lower part of the back plate 54.
．． Lower cover plate 57 stretched between 56 and guide plate 55.5
6, and upward from the top of the lower shield Fi57,
It also consists of a lower shielding plate 58 extending outward. A pair of support elements 59 and 60 extend upwardly from the lower end of the back plate 54 to limit the descent of a form or envelope dropped into the device 46. An actuator 62 driven by compressed air and moving between a support position shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and a release position shown in FIG.
9 and 60, and in this open position the elevator 34 is in a raised position above the delivery port 18 and in such a position that the lower end of the elevator 34 is just above and inside the delivery port 18. be.

In order to move the elevator 34 between the product receiving position shown in FIGS. 2.3.5 and 6 and the product dispensing position shown in FIG. It is supported on a vertical rod 63 which is supported by an actuator 64 for vertical movement as shown at 66. The actuator 64 is preferably operated by compressed air for rotation or vertical movement by an electrically controlled valve.

Cylinder 50 for operating Giomo, elevator release actuator 62, actuator 64 for elevator operation
A compressor is physically located between the support of the elevator actuator 64 on the floor of the machine and the front plate 2I to provide compressed air for the operation of the elements, including.

A vacuum pump 66 is placed on a horizontal shelf 67 that supports the rotating structure for the pivoting head 36 of the robot 28. The upper shelf 69 supports a computer 70 that controls various elements of the machine.

The computer 70 connects the robot controller 71 to the robot 3.
It is combined with 6. It is also coupled to a VCR 72 which provides audio and video signals and which can be replaced with a compact disc device or other device. The robot controller 71 and VCR 72 are both installed on a railing 69, and a keyboard 73 for the computer is mounted on the robot controller 71 so that it can be pulled out and used for initialization operations, repairs, and reprogramming as needed. will be installed in

Audio mixer 74, line conditioner 75, and V
An optical/electrical interface 76 for the CR72, a compressor 68, a cylinder 50 for operating the printing press paper presser bar, and other functions are arranged above the s77 and below the wJ69. An additional shelf 78 is fitted with a series of switches for direct manual operation for testing the configuration of pneumatically driven devices.

Figure 8 shows the combination and functional relationship of the opportunity elements. The calculator 70 includes a credit card reader 14 for receiving an acceptance signal, and a central processing unit connected to a hardened receiver 82 attached to the coin slot 12 and a bill slot 13 via an optical/electrical interface 76. Contains a CPU. The calculator 70 is also the printer 3
1, connected to a robot controller 71, a keyboard 73, an audio mixer 74, and a receipt printer 83. robot 2
The robot controller 71 that controls the actuator 6 also controls the actuator 6.
4 controls the rotational and vertical movement of the elevator 34.

Computer 70 is also connected to audio mixer 74 which provides audio output to speaker 85 via amplifier 85. Further, the calculator is connected to an attached CRT as a peripheral device equipped with a display and a touch screen 11, and the CRT is connected to the eighth
As shown in the functional diagram of the figure, it serves as a display or monitor 87 and as an input device with a touch screen 87.

Via the interface 76, the computer 70 controls the compressor 68 and the press cylinder 50.

In order to operate the computer, the main program is
As shown in the figure, stored image files, screen audio files, product data files, material files, and robot trajectory files are stored in a storage device for manipulation.

When the machine does not respond to customer-generated input, the VC
The R72 supplies an audio image signal to the audio mixer 74 and the monitor 87 via the interface 76, and enters an introduction display mode in which the identification, characteristics, and characteristics of the product are sequentially displayed to a person near the machine 10.

For example, a two-minute program might display a typical product for one minute, followed by a birthday card and an anniversary card for 30 seconds each, and then automatically unwind when the tape for that section ends. Return and resume.

While the VCR 72 is operating in the introduction display mode, the computer continuously checks whether the screen has been touched by the customer to switch from the introduction display mode to the solicitation mode. FIGS. 9A and 9B both show flowcharts showing checking whether the screen is touched or not and response operation when the screen is touched. Initially, a menu of selectable accessories is displayed and, in the illustrated system, the customer is invited to select from an anniversary card, a birthday card, and a fun card.

As shown, if a birthday card is selected, it is checked whether it has been paid for, ie, coins or banknotes, or confirmed by a credit card reader. In that case, the VCH cassette is rewound and the robot 28 is commanded to set the printing press 31 in the form of a birthday card. Similarly, when an anniversary card is selected, after payment, the robot 28
A command is issued to the printing machine 31 to set the form of the anniversary card. The same is true if a regular card is selected, except that the customer is required to select from several types of cards. Once the selection has been made and payment has been made, the robot 28 is commanded to set up the corresponding form on the printing press. In all cases, the sequence in which data is entered by the customer begins at the same time as the robot is commanded to set the appropriate form on the printing press.

This feature is important in order to minimize the time required to dispense the final product to the transfer port 18.

Regarding Figures 8.9A and 9B, one computer 70 in the disclosed example is actually operated in pseudo-multiple processing so that the operation involving the preceding customer and the operation of the robot 28 are actually simultaneous. Ru. Robot movements, such as moving the form to the printing press, are executed in response to a series of commands determined by computer 70 and transmitted to robot controller 71 at short time intervals. Inputs to be made by the customer at the end of such short time intervals and upon completion of operations involving the customer, such as audio and visual introductions of selections or requests for payment, first touching the screen, and making payment. , an operation check is performed. When there is a lack of customer operation, the robot controller 71
The instructions required by the system are transmitted. The operation by the customer is performed immediately without waiting for the robot 28 to complete the operation. However, since the robot is not in an opening operation waiting for a response from the customer, the robot operates at near maximum speed. make it possible to Operations by the customer can be performed in a relatively short amount of time. Either another computer is installed to control the robot 28, or equivalent care is taken to allow efficient operation of the robot 28 while customer operations or other operations are being performed at the same time. You can understand that.

After the personalized data has been selected and confirmed by the customer and the required form has been set on the printing press, the data is transmitted to the printing press and the VCR 72 resumes operation.
The robot takes the appropriate envelopes from the storage rack to the elevator 34.
An order is given to move it. In this way, the movement of the envelopes occurs simultaneously with the operation of the printing press, minimizing the time required for the final product to be dispensed.

Figures 10A and 108 detail the method of entering data required for the type of product illustrated. Customers are given clear instructions on what they need to know before making a payment, and after making a payment, they are given instructions to quickly enter accurate data, check the data they have entered, and make corrections if necessary.

The customer may take as much time as necessary, but any delays that would otherwise occur are minimized because the necessary forms are fed into the press during data entry. .

As already mentioned in the discussion regarding Figure 4, Figures 11-15
The figure depicts important features regarding the construction of the storage rack and the operation of the suction cups 43, 44 without removing forms, envelopes or other objects. Also, as previously mentioned, the top shelf of storage rank 30 stores preprinted birthday card forms, including form 45 placed over the entire surface of a stack of forms, indicated by reference numeral 90. ing. The top of the step is
11-15, which includes a back plate 92, a pair of side plates 93 and 94, the upper end of which is connected to a bundle of foam 90.
C consisting of a front plate 96 that is lower than the upper end of
There is. The rack tiers are stepped, with the front plane of each tier forming the back plate of the next lower tier. Although not shown, it will be appreciated that each stage has walls and a bottom that are lower than the height of the form so that the top of the form is exposed for removal.

Side plates 93 and 94 are attached to inwardly bent upper ends 97 and 98 that cover opposite ends of each form of bundle 90 and to the leading edge of inwardly bent side plates 93.94 and to the top of side plates 93.94. It has triangular ears 99 and 100.

A holding plate 102 is installed after the bundle 90 and holds the bundle 9
0 forward and is pushed forward by a spring 103 for pressing the upper front surface of the frontmost form 45 against the ear 99.100.

First, the suction cups 43, 44 are moved outward relative to the vertical axis of the robot pivot head 36 so that the upper part of the form 45 can be gripped with pressure, as shown in FIG. Then, the suction cups 43, 44 are moved upward, and the friction of the suction cups 43, 44 causes the form 45 to move upward, but the corner portions are moved upward by the ears 90.
100 and the upper end 97.9 of the inwardly bent side plate 93.94
8, so it is slightly bent. During this operation, immediately after the first form 45, the 15th
The second form, designated by reference numeral 104 in the figure, is free of frictional forces.

In FIG. 15, the thickness of the foam is exaggerated to more clearly illustrate the operation. After the first upward movement of the foam 45, the suction cups 43,44 are in the position shown in FIG. 15, when they are suctioned. Further upward movement of the suction cups 43, 44 causes the foam 45 to be completely pulled out of the step. This retrieval operation is a great advantage for obtaining reliable operation. This method reliably prevents the removal of one or more foams, which is common when moving porous foams from other or behind foams by suction. Other forms of relative movement
It will also be understood that it may be used for folding or subsequent separation from the sheet.

[Effects of the Invention] In the illustrated machine, the basic product stored in the storage stage 30 was a pre-printed form, but the basic product was formed into an unprinted form or a predetermined size during operation. It will be appreciated that it may be a roll of paper that is cut into pieces and subjected to one or more printing operations depending on data entered by the customer to obtain the desired final product. Although the machine according to the invention has particular advantages when used with sheet-like products, as illustrated, the various advantages of the invention may be found in other products, particularly in the form of various basic products. It will be understood that this applies to the production of products according to customer orders by selectively modifying. It will also be appreciated that other modifications and applications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concept of the invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a greeting card vending machine assembled according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the back of the machine shown in Fig. 1 with the back plate removed; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the machine shown in Fig. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the removal of sheets of material from the storage rank; FIG. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a sheet of material being fed into a printing press; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a sheet of material being fed into a moving device; Figure 7 is a perspective view of the machine in a raised transfer position. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the various elements of the machine, their functional relationships, and mutual interference; Figures 9A and 9B are diagrams showing various operations performed by the machine under computer control; Flowchart, Sections 10A and 108
Figure 1 is a flowchart showing the instructions and selections carried out by the machine under computer control; Figure 1 is a diagram showing the foam storage section and a suction cup for removing the foam; Figure 12 is similar to Figure 11; Fig. 13 is an enlarged view of the upper corner of the storage section; Fig. 14 is a side view of the storage section with the side plate partially removed; Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view of the state of the foam after it has been moved as shown in Figure 12, with the thickness of the foam emphasized to make it easier to understand. 11...Screen 12...Coin insertion slot 13...Banknote bone opening 14...Credit card reader 15...Change slot 16...Receipt 17...Receipt issue slot 18. ...Delivery port 20...Front panel 21...Casing 23,24...Side plate 25...Back plate 26...Decorative neon 28...Robot 30...Storage rack 31... ...Printing machine 32...Storage 34...Handling machine 36...Swivel head 38...Moving head 39.40, 41.42...Link 43.44...Sucker 45...Form 46... Guide plate 47... Print roller 48... Paper presser bar 50... Air cylinder 54... Back plate 55.56... Guide plate 57... Lower cover plate 58... - Lower cover plate 59, 60... Support element 62... Elevator release actuator 63...
Londro 4... Actuator 67... Horizontal shelf 68... Compressor 69... Upper shelf 70... Computer 71... Robot controller 72... VCR 73... Keyboard 74 ...Audio mixer 75...Line conditioner 76...Optical/electrical interace 77.78...Shelf 90...Bundle of foam 93.94...Side plate 96...Front plate 97 .98...Top edge 99.100...Engraving of 73 sides of the ear (no change in content)

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A machine that automatically delivers products that are personalized and selected from a plurality of different types of products by a customer when purchasing, the storage for storing basic products. means, a delivery means, and a series of operations including transferring the base product from the storage means, modifying the base product to produce the modified base product, and converting the base product into the target product. means for dispensing to the delivery means, storage and dispensing;
A housing containing product handling means, a payment means operated by the customer for payment for the product from outside the housing, and a desired final form of the personalized product delivered to the customer from outside the housing. a selection means operable by the customer for inputting control data defining the product, and a selection means operable by the customer for performing a series of operations according to the control data after payment by the customer and delivering the desired final form of the product to the delivery means. , a machine comprising computer means housed within the housing and coupled to the payment, selection and product handling means for controlling the product handling means. 2. The storage, product handling, selection and computing means are arranged to handle a variety of products, and the machine is a flexible production base for one type of individualized product. machine. 3. Claim 1: A just-in-time format in which the customer has the option to define multiple formats of final products, and the machine does not require the inventory of multiple final products that would otherwise be required. The machine described. 4. The selection means consist of an electrically changeable display means for the display of accessories, which allows the customer to select the desired final form of the product, and the selection means comprises electrically changeable display means for the display of accessories, which allows the customer to select the desired final form of the product, and the form of the product proposed by the machine. 2. A machine according to claim 1, which is rapidly changeable. 5. The machine of claim 1, wherein said base product comprises a base product in the form of a sheet of sheet material, and said product handling means include printing means for printing personalized data on said base product. 6. The printing means includes a printing roller, a sheet receiving device, and a guiding device for gripping and stabbing the sheet onto the printing roller, and the printing machine places the bottom end of the sheet at a predetermined position before printing data. 2. The roller according to claim 1, wherein said roller is controlled to rotate in a reverse direction for positioning and to rotate forward by a fixed angle in order to accurately position the leading edge of the sheet at an essentially fixed starting point. machine. 7. The storage means comprises means for storing bundles of basic products in the form of sheets of sheet material, the handling means comprising:
suction acting on the storage means, first by friction to separate the top sheet of the bundle from the remaining sheets of the bundle, and then by suction to completely remove the top sheet from the bundle; 2. A machine as claimed in claim 1, comprising ejection means. 8. said storage means includes restraint means for capturing corner edge portions of the sheets of said bundle, said top sheet being folded to move relative to said restraint means during said initial separation; 8. The machine of claim 7, wherein said restraining means prevents movement of sheets behind said top sheet. 9. In a machine that dispenses a product selected from a plurality of different types of products, a display means for displaying the identification of the product, a means for selecting one type of product of the type, and a means for dispensing the product selected by the customer. a delivery means for holding the selected and dispensed product until removed by the customer; a housing supporting the display, selection, payment, and delivery means; and a plurality of different types of products. storage means within the enclosure comprising a plurality of separate compartments for storing products; product handling means within the enclosure for removing one product from the compartments and conveying the product to the delivery means; comprising control means located at and coupled to said product identification, selection, payment and product handling means, said control means controlling the operation of said display means and retrieving a corresponding product from one of said categories; computer means programmed to be responsive to payment and selection inputs by the customer for transfer to the delivery means; A machine controlled in an introductory display mode for display to persons in the vicinity of the machine. 10. The display means is operated by the calculator in a selection mode for displaying the next operation to enable the customer to select a product after payment by the customer, and the display means is not operated in the selection mode by the calculator. 10. The machine of claim 9, wherein the display is programmed to operate in the introductory display mode during a period of time. 11. The machine of claim 9, wherein said display means includes computerized audio generation means for performing an audio description of said product and said properties and features in said introductory display mode. 12. The machine of claim 9, wherein said display means includes displaying, in said introductory display mode, a series of images of said product and said desired characteristics and characteristics in the form of graphics. 13. The display means is operated by the calculator in a selection mode for displaying operating instructions for the next operation for the selection of a product by the customer after payment by the customer, and the display means displaying the image display in the mode;
13. The machine of claim 12, further comprising a screen for visual display of said operation. 14. The machine of claim 13, wherein the screen is operable as a touch screen for product selection by the customer. 15. A machine for dispensing one product selected from a plurality of different types of products, comprising display means for displaying the identification of the product, means for selecting one type of product of the type, and a machine for dispensing a product selected from a plurality of different types of products. a payment means capable of paying for the selected product; a delivery means for holding the selected and dispensed product until removed by the customer; and a housing supporting the display, selection, payment, and delivery means; storage means within said enclosure comprising a plurality of separate compartments for storing different types of products; and product handling means within said enclosure for removing one product from the compartments and conveying the product to said delivery means. , a control means located within the housing and coupled to the product identification, selection, payment and product handling means, the control means controlling the operation of the display means and placing the corresponding product in the category. computer means programmed to be responsive to payment and selection inputs by the customer for removal from the customer and transfer the product selections by the customer to the delivery means; A machine operated in a selection mode that displays operating instructions for the next operation to change the selected product. 16. A machine for dispensing one product selected from a plurality of different types of products, comprising a storage means for storing the basic product, a delivery means, and a mechanism for moving the basic product from the storage means. modifying the basic product in order to streamline a series of operations including: and manufacturing the modified basic product;
means for dispensing said basic product to said delivery means; a housing containing said storage, dispensing and product handling means; and input of control data to define the desired final form of the product to be dispensed to said delivery means. computer means located within the housing and coupled to the selection and product handling means, the storage means being arranged to store a plurality of different types of basic products; The product handling means includes a changing means for changing the basic product, selectively moves the different types of basic products to the changing means, and moves the changed basic product to the delivery port. moving means for moving the selected base product to the changing means, modifying the selected base product in accordance with the control data, and transferring the final form of the desired product to the delivery means; A machine that controls said changes and product handling means according to control data for moving to the mouth. 17. The selection means includes means for displaying a selection range including a format selection range from the format of the basic product delivered to the changing means and a change selection range from changes that can be performed by the changing means, prior to displaying said selection width, and calculator means responsive to said selection width initiating transfer of a selected form of base product to said modification means; 17. The machine of claim 16 for displaying for. 18. Claim 16, wherein the moving means is arranged to move base products of one type to be combined with modified base products of another type to produce a desired final product. The machine described. 19. The computer controls the moving means for moving the basic product of the one type to a combination location, while controlling the changing means for changing the basic product of the one of the other types, and then , controlling said moving means for moving the modified basic product from said changing means to said combination location.
The machine described. 20. The moving means includes a pivoting head retrieval means supported by a head, the pivoting head selectively positioning the retrieval means with respect to storage and modification locations at different angular positions about an axis. 17. A machine as claimed in claim 16, wherein the machine is rotatable about a vertical axis for removing basic products at a storage location and is movable to a changing location. 21. The product handling means includes a transfer device located at a transfer location that is located at an angular position different from the angular location of the storage, alteration location, and the retrieval means transfer the altered base product to the alteration location. 17. The machine of claim 16, wherein the machine is movable from location to said transfer location. 22. The machine of claim 21, wherein said moving device is capable of moving products to said transfer means. 23. The machine of claim 22, wherein said moving device is rotationally movable about a vertical axis from a position for receiving product from said ejection means to a position for transferring product to said transfer means. 24. The selection means and the delivery means are arranged at a position where they can be easily operated by a person standing in front of the housing, and the moving place is arranged at a position essentially lower than the position of the delivery place. 24. The machine of claim 23, wherein the moving device is capable of being raised above the position of the transfer means and is arranged to dispense changed product to the transfer means. 25. The additional storage location and the combination location are arranged in angular positions different from each other and the angular positions of the storage location and the change location described above, and the pivoting head and the retrieval means 21. The machine of claim 20, wherein the machine is capable of removing base products from a storage means and moving them to the additional combining location and removing modified base products from the changing means to the combining location.